Featherstone boss leaves after two straight defeats by Leigh

Featherstone Rovers have parted company with coach John Bastian, following a second successive defeat by Leigh Centurions.

Rovers were beaten 29-10 in a home Kingstone Press Championship fixture on Sunday, just a week after losing 26-16 away to the same opposition in the Tetley’s Challenge Cup.

Bastian, a former Rovers player who had spells as youth boss at Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves, took over in the off-season and was in charge for only 10 competitive games.

As well as the Challenge Cup defeat, Rovers have lost three of their opening nine league games and are currently third in the table.

A club statement said: “Featherstone Rovers can announce the departure of John Bastian as head coach. John has helped steer Featherstone Rovers into third position of the Kingstone Press Championship. The club would like to thank John Bastian for his professional services.”

The statement quoted Rovers chairman Mark Campbell as saying: “John is a man of great professionalism, good values, immense integrity and despite not working out at Featherstone Rovers, this man has an immense career in rugby league and I believe he will be coaching in Super League one day. There will be massive interest in his coaching abilities and we wish him and his family well. Danny Evans will take control as interim head coach.”